Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that 22 players are available and ready for Ghana’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C qualifier against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
Queiroz provided an update on the Black Stars squad after the team completed its final training session on Monday ahead of the highly anticipated Ghana vs The Gambia fixture.
According to the Portuguese coach, Ronald remains the only doubtful player, although the technical team is hopeful that he could recover sufficiently to make the bench.
“Twenty-two players are ready to play tomorrow. The only player who is still in doubt is Ronald. We hope that he can at least be on the bench,” Queiroz said.
He added that the rest of the squad trained normally and are in good physical condition as Ghana prepares for the important AFCON 2027 qualifier.
Carlos Queiroz Calls for Improved Finishing
The Black Stars coach said lessons from Ghana’s previous match against Côte d’Ivoire have influenced preparations for the encounter with The Gambia.
Queiroz explained that particular attention has been given to finishing and attacking efficiency, with the players working on becoming more accurate during crucial moments in front of goal.
He said the team is highly motivated and urged Ghanaian supporters and the local media to continue backing the Black Stars.
The coach acknowledged that the national team is facing challenges but insisted that those difficulties should motivate the team to find solutions rather than create excuses.
Queiroz: Black Stars Must Focus on the Present
Carlos Queiroz stressed that Ghana must not depend on past performances when preparing for future matches.
He said the Black Stars must use previous games as learning experiences while focusing on securing results in upcoming fixtures.
According to the coach, the immediate priority is to prepare properly, remain organised and approach every match with the determination to win.
Queiroz also used his “god of football” analogy to emphasise the importance of results, discipline, preparation and organisation.
He explained that while the future of his tenure is uncertain, his current focus remains on serving Ghana and helping the Black Stars achieve their objectives.
Black Stars Coach Urges Fans to Support Available Players
With several players unavailable because of injuries and other circumstances, Queiroz called on supporters attending the match at the Accra Sports Stadium to focus their encouragement on the players available for selection.
He acknowledged that every Black Stars player is important but said the squad members currently in camp deserve the full support of fans during the AFCON qualifier against The Gambia.
Queiroz Wants Greater Consistency in Black Stars Team
The Portuguese coach also discussed the long-term development of the Ghana national team, arguing that building a successful and competitive Black Stars side requires consistency and a systematic approach.
He pointed to Ghana’s historic AFCON success and the team’s impressive performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while stressing that sustained success requires a stable core of players.
Queiroz said regularly changing large numbers of players makes it difficult to build a winning team. He therefore called for a consistent squad structure, better communication between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and players, and improved football development systems.
He also highlighted the need to invest in youth development, coach education and quality football pitches across Ghana.
Black Stars Dealing With Player Absences
Queiroz revealed that the Black Stars have had to manage significant player absences, including a large number of injured players.
Despite the challenges, he said the team has focused on finding solutions instead of making excuses.
The coach noted that the technical team has established systems to respond quickly to player availability issues and maintain the team’s preparations.
Ghana vs The Gambia: Black Stars Target AFCON Qualification Progress
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s match, Queiroz said the Black Stars must control possession, recover the ball quickly and use attacking situations effectively.
He revealed that the team devoted significant time during training to finishing drills following the narrow margins in Ghana’s previous match against Côte d’Ivoire.
According to Queiroz, Ghana created some of the best opportunities in that encounter but failed to make the most of its chances.
The coach remains confident in the team’s attacking approach and believes improved finishing could make a significant difference against The Gambia.
The Ghana vs The Gambia match at the Accra Sports Stadium will be an important fixture in the Black Stars’ campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Source: newsthemegh.com